The Tacoma merchants on Broadway and Pacific Avenues sponsored the second annual Fairyland and Christmas Parade for Children which was held on the day after Thanksgiving, 1935. The first float in the parade carried Santa in a well packed sleigh pulled by two snow white reindeer. Starting near the Elks Temple at 565 South Broadway, the parade traveled down Broadway, turned east at South 13th Street and then proceeded north on Pacific. The parade signalled the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. (T. Times 11/28/1935, pg.1; 11/29/1935, pg.1; 11/30/1935, pg. 9)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Reindeer; Elks Temple (Tacoma);

The Fairyland and Christmas Parade for children, November 29, 1935. Stadium High School's Marching band on Broadway in front of the Elks' Temple, 565 Broadway. Union Club of Tacoma, 539 Broadway, in the background. The Stadium marching band led the third quadrant of the parade, followed by the Humpty Dumpty float, the Old Lady who lived in a shoe and clowns and the paraders wearing grotesque heads. (T. Times 11/28/1935, pg.1; 11/29/1935, pg.1; 11/30/1935, pg. 9)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marching bands; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma);

A young man in formal wear, with a shiny stripe down the sides of the pants and shiny lapels, bow tie askew, brings his hat to his heart in the presence of these two elegantly attired young ladies. The publicity photograph is for the "Saga of the West" historical pageant planned for the Golden Jubilee. The trio are posed on July 3, 1939 outside the Elks Temple. The young man who's gone a courtin' is Herman Huesby; the 1860's belles are, left to right, Floralla Milleson and Leva Atkins. (T. Times 7/14/1939, pg. 10)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Historical pageants--Tacoma; Elks Temple (Tacoma); Huesby, Herman; Milleson, Floralla; Atkins, Leva;

Old time American Legion leaders of the state are feted at the Edward B. Rhodes Post No.2 dinner and meeting on January 1, 1938. Photograph was taken at the Elks Club. Seated in the front are, left to right, Dr. Hinton D. Jonez, Tacoma, Department Commander 1924; Reno Odlin, Tacoma, Commander 1931; Murray W. McCarthy, Tacoma, Department Commander of Utah 1920-21 and National Executive Commander 1920-22. Standing, left to right, Lee Carter, Tacoma, last Department Vice Commander serving the state at large; Homer Jones, Bremerton, Department Commander 1934; Claude Snyder, Vancouver, Commander 1936; L.L. Thompson, Tacoma, Permanent Chairman of state legion convention at Seattle 1919. Their were 27 members present at the preceding dinner. (T. Times 2/1/1938, pg. 14)

Jonez, Hinton D.; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; American Legion Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Seven soldier members of the Salt Lake No. 85 Elks Lodge pose in front of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 on August 16, 1918. They are wearing military uniforms with most carrying flags. A large sign is held by two Elks "warning" others to "Watch Your Girls We're From Salt Lake No. 85." The soldiers represented their lodge during the 14th annual Washington State Elks convention held in Tacoma during August of 1918. They would march in the massive downtown parade along with Elks from lodges across the state and including several Montana Elks stationed at Camp Lewis. G68.1-109 (TDL 8-17-18, p. 7-article)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Salt Lake Lodge No. 85; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Signs (Notices); Guests--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Armed Forces Night at the Elks Club. On May 24, 1961, the Tacoma Elks Club hosted various members of the military to a formal dinner. Guests included both high ranking brass and younger uniformed men. Seated in rear of photograph are L-R John H. Anderson, former mayor of Tacoma, Major General William Train, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, and Robert Holder, Elks exalted ruler. Photograph ordered by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174. (TNT 5-25-61, A-3)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Anderson, John H.; Train, William; Holder, Robert;

Gracie Hansen displays a press release at the Elks Club on March 7, 1962, for the Gracie Hansen Paradise, a Las Vegas-style show, to be featured at the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle's World Fair) in 1962. She had addressed the Tacoma Advertising Club at the Elks on "Century 21 After Dark." Behind her is a multi-sectional billboard with cut-outs of the Space Needle, a bottle of Almaden Rose champagne, and a dancing chorine holding a large apple. The concrete slab building that would house the "Night in Paradise", a 700-capacity theater/restaurant, later was given to King County and is now known as the Gracie Hansen Community Center in Ravensdale. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Advertising Club. (Seattle P.I., April 16, 2002, TNT 3-6-62, p. 9)

Hansen, Gracie; Publicity photographs; Signs (Notices);

Three United Good Neighbors executives, including campaign chairman Robert P. Mallon (center) and Ft. Lewis commanding general Alexander R. Bollinger, Jr., hold up a white football labeled with the date "Nov. 12." Time was growing short to reach the $1,928,000 goal set by the United Good Neighbors Fund of Pierce County, a predecessor of United Way. The 1971 fund raising campaign would officially end on Friday, the 12th, and the goal had yet to be met. Business and military leaders in the county lent a hand to raise contributions that would form a large portion of the budget of worthy member agencies such as the Salvation Army and Children's Home Society. Photograph ordered by the United Good Neighbors Fund of Pierce County. The name of the executive at the far left is not known. (TNT 11-9-71, p. - article; TNT 11-12-71, p. 1-article; TNT 11-13-71, p. 9-article) TPL-10366

United Good Neighbors (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1970-1980; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fund raising --Tacoma--1970-1980; Mallon, Robert P.; Bollinger, Alexander R.;

Rehearsal of "Saga of the West" for the Golden Jubilee. View from above of large group of women in choreographed formation on wooden floor of the Elks Temple. Grand piano on stage in background. Rehearsals were held at the Elks Temple, Armory and finally at the performance venue, the Stadium Bowl.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Historical pageants--Tacoma; Elks Temple (Tacoma);

Rehearsal of "Saga of the West" for the Golden Jubilee. Several groups of performers form circles in the auditorium of the Elks Temple. Pianist on stage in background. The rehearsals were held at the Elks Temple, then the Armory and finally at the Stadium Bowl itself. The production would have a cast of 2,000.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Historical pageants--Tacoma; Elks Temple (Tacoma);

Two men in top hats and tails hold an animated conversation in front of a bemused woman in an off the shoulder ball gown in this publicity photograph for the "Saga of the West." The theatrical presentation is planned for the Golden Jubilee celebration. She is seated, possibly on a railing, between two stone pillars supporting stone urns planted with nasturtiums.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Historical pageants--Tacoma; Elks Temple (Tacoma);

Mayor John Siegle pretends to light the fuse on a giant fire-cracker held by three members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce . They are all part of the "big bang" publicity campaign for the 1938 July 4th fireworks show at Stadium Bowl. Mayor Siegle was a dentist by trade, and the first native Tacoman to be elected as mayor to Tacoma. He was born in Tacoma in 1885. The Elks Temple and Spanish steps are in the background. Mayor Siegle died in April of 1939 after just 19 months in office. He was only 53 years old.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Firecrackers; Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma);

ca. 1925. A float cruises in front of the Elks Lodge. The truck chassis has been covered with straw-like material and sports a straw skimmer hat and carries a Dixieland band, also wearing straw hats. A banner on the float reads "Park your new straw- under a seat at the Colonial and see 'A Kiss in the Dark'." "A Kiss in the Dark" was a silent film adaptation of the comic play "Aren't We All." It was released April 6, 1925 and starred Adolphe Menjou, Lillian Rich and Aileen Pringle, with a cameo appearance by Herbert (Zeppo) Marx. The float was possibly intended for the Straw Hat Day celebrations. Straw Hat Day in Tacoma was the date that gentlemen officially put away their heavy winter hats and donned straw ones for the warmer weather. (WSHS- negative A845-0)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma; Straw Hat Day (Tacoma); Hats--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Group of people, including children, on stage at the Elks Temple. This photograph was taken on July 1, 1940.

Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma); Stages (Platforms);

The Bellarmine High School prom, hosted by the school's junior class, was held at the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, in April of 1946. The prom theme was "Blossom Time." Music was provided by the Brad Bannon Orchestra which began playing at 9 pm and played until midnight. Co-chairmen for the event were Al Greco and Rufe Theriault. A large group of girls in evening gowns and Bellarmine students in suits and ties all face the camera with smiles. A "Farewell Seniors" banner hangs behind the orchestra. Photograph taken for the school annual. (Cage, 1946, p. 13-14). TPL-8443

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Elks Temple (Tacoma); Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);

Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Four men have gathered to look at a display board of process samples at the one-day conference of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association held June 10, 1946, at the Elks Temple auditorium. Some 150 leaders of the plywood industry were assembled at this conference. (T.Times, 6/11/1947, p.1)

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Winners, Fishing Derby, Jerry Graham, Elks Club. Fourteen awards were given to members of the Elks lodge during the banquet after their salmon derby. 104 king salmon were cooked at the Elks lodge where the competitors ate it all. (T.Times, 9/15/1947, p.3)

Fishing; Fish; Salmon; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishermen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Awards; Stages (Platforms);

Winners, Fishing Derby, Jerry Graham, Elks Club. These anglers won the top three places from more than 400 entries in the Elks lodge annual salmon derby. L-R, Fred Klopfenstein won 2nd place and an outboard motor, George Weller took 3rd place and received a portable radio, and Fred Bucholtz won 1st place and a 14 foot "strip" fishing boat. (T.Times, 9/15/1947, p.3)

Klopfenstein, Fred; Weller, George; Bucholtz, Fred; Fishing; Fish; Salmon; Fishermen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Emmett T. Anderson, ex-Grand Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 174, is visiting Tacoma, and will deliver the eulogy at their annual memorial services. View of Elks members standing with Emmett Anderson, who is visiting from California, they are standing behind their shield and floral arrangements (T. Times, 12/2/47, p. 18).

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Visiting; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Commemoration--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Anderson, Emmett T.;

Two clowns perform on the floor of the auditorium at the Elks Temple for the Elk's annual Father and Daughter Valentines party. Several of the girls stretch their arms hoping to be chosen for one of the evening's surprises.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Children's parties; Clowns;

A large screen announced the Elks annual "Extravaganza" for 1952. Thirty-four members are shown in caricature with information about their businesses.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The Elks held their annual "Extravaganza" in March 1952. The stage is filled with men, men dressed as women, and women for the event directed by old-time vaudeville star Max Frolic. There were 15 attractions, including singers, dancers, dramatic acts and a 15-piece orchestra under the direction of Bert Kool. (TNT, 3/23/1952, p.A-14)

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Stage props; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

A group of musicians who will perform for the 1952 Elks Extravaganza are dressed in absurd costumes waiting backstage for their entrance. One of them is playing dead at the feet of the others and one of the musicians is playing an old toilet seat with strings for the occasion. Note: Lines in print due to diacetate film deterioration. (TNT, 3/23/1952, p.A-14)

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Stage props; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The Elks held their annual "Extravaganza" in March 1952. The stage sets show a western-style street scene with a "Keystone Cop" character and a gentleman wearing a top hat and carrying a cane on the street level and another character looking out from an upper window. Names of local businesses have been used for the store fronts. Another man can be seen behind the stage props, possibly making his entrance.

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Stage props; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

A crowd of excited children gather around a member of the Tacoma Elks dressed as a clown during the 1950 Children's Christmas party at the Elks Temple sponsored by the Elks Stocking Fillers. 750 children attended the annual party in Tacoma where they received gifts purchased with donations. Five children from the Hall family are to the right of the clown: Joann, Ronnie, Connie, Gary and at far right, Nora. Free bus transportation was provided. A large contingent of Korean War veterans were also present. (TNT 12-23-50, p. 3-article) (Additional identification provided by a reader) TPL-10156

Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christmas--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clowns; Hall, Joann; Hall, Ronnie; Hall, Connie; Hall, Gary; Hall, Nora;

Initiation of Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation employees at Elk's Club. Man on stage playing accordion. [Also dated 03-29-1943]

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Elks Club (Tacoma);